The Shock of the New

Nobody in the five-piece English indie rock band The Long Blondes is blonde. You may remember them from the controversy they kicked up a while back when they said, "We do not listen to The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, or Bob Dylan. We chose an instrument each and learnt to play it." Their point was that music had gotten derivative and they were trying to do something new. In fact, the tracks on their latest, "Couples" (they insist on including the quotes), while they certainly have a rather unique flavor, also sound familiar in a lot of ways. Amongst the pop phrases, dance rhythms, and synthesizers, we hear New Wave and '60s pop influences. But regardless of whether it's "new" or not, we like it. All the tracks have strong beats that get you moving; the lyrics are fun and sexy (and sometimes even science fictiony); and Kate Jackson's vocals are hot. Plus, it's hard not to love a band with a drummer who calls himself Screech Louder. Our favorite tracks off "Couples" include the first track, "Century," as well as the dramatic, foreboding "Round the Hairpin." But "Here Comes the Serious Bit" is a pretty great track, too, and you can download that one for free here.

You may have already guessed that we're telling you all this because the Blondes are playing in town tonight. They're at Johnny Brenda's, to be precise, with support from Drug Rug and Bamboo Shoots. Catch them if you can. We hear they look and sound great live.

The Long Blondes, Drug Rug, Bamboo Shoots
Johnny Brenda's (1201 N. Frankford Ave.)
Tonight, 5/14/08, 8PM
$12, 21+

Photo by Rick Pushinsky, courtesy The Beggars Group